Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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- Opinion
Biden’s Order on Gender Transitioning Kids Shows Left Is All In on the Culture War
The president thinks that if you don’t want children to receive life-altering chemical treatments based on an ideological definition of gender, you’re “hateful.” The Department of Health and Human Services recently released an order that said it would be adding federal protections to ensure “transgender youth receive the care they need.” During a video commemorating…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
What Brings You More Joy, Your Child Getting Into a Prestigious College or Getting Married?
The second of my two sons got married last week, and it prompted me to consider the question: What brings parents more joy: their child getting into a prestigious college or their child getting married (presumably to a good person)? Three things prompted this question: my joy and pride, the joy of those who attended…Dennis Prager -
- News
White House Refuses to Weigh In on Biological Men Competing in Women’s Sports
The White House dodged a question on transgender participation in college sports during Monday’s press briefing. Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked White House press secretary Jen Psaki if the Biden administration thought it was fair that biological males are now competing against women in college sports. The White House is “not the governing body…Kendall Tietz -
- Opinion
Jobs, Family, Loyalty: Identifying the Governing Vision of National Conservatives
The American conservative movement long has been a raucous conversation among groups with different purposes, objects, and frameworks in which they approach politics and culture. Now, the strain known as national conservatism means to join that conversation. On one level, this national conservatism group makes a needed contribution when it stresses that the nation is…Richard M. Reinsch II -
- Opinion
Great Pride in Being Mexican American in Texas
Leftists have been scratching their heads and rubbing their eyes in disbelief as poll after poll tell them that Latino voters are starting to tack rightward in significant numbers. Now along comes a poll that makes clear why that’s happening, at least in Texas. The Lone Star State’s large Mexican American population loves America. They’re…Mike Gonzalez -
- Opinion
Historian Explains How 6 Presidents Fought Washington Swamp
From time to time, the American people elect a champion to take on the Washington swamp. Historian Larry Schweikart joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to discuss his new book “Dragonslayers: Six Presidents and Their War With the Swamp.” The six presidents Schweikart profiles are Abraham Lincoln, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan,…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Federal Job Training Programs Should Follow ‘Pay for Outcome’ Model
The House Education and Labor Committee on Tuesday will be voting on a reauthorization of the main federal funding for employment and training programs, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Unfortunately, this Democratic draft would move the workforce system in the wrong direction. Instead of making sure employment and training programs get the results that…Leslie Ford -
- Opinion
Transgenderism: Why Stop There?
“Identifying” as someone who one is not has become all the rage. If you think you’re somebody you’re not, the whole world is expected to nod its collective head, if not stand up and cheer. This is especially true for gender identity, as William “Lia” Thomas has demonstrated so vividly in collegiate swimming pools. Unheralded…Deroy Murdock -
- Opinion
Conservatives Need to Take Better Advantage of Gifts From Far Left
According to Pew, the so-called progressive left makes up only 6% of the American population and 12% of the Democratic Party. This small group is overwhelmingly white (nearly 70%), young, and highly educated. They are also extremely engaged politically, voting and donating to candidates at a higher rate than almost any other political grouping. And…Neil Patel -
- Opinion
What We Know About Judge Jackson’s Record in Child Porn Sentences
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s sentencing pattern in child pornography cases was one of the big issues raised in last week’s multiday confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Clarity on this issue is needed before the committee, and then the full Senate, make their decision regarding Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Federal law distinguishes among three…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
Is Your State Ready for Roe to Go?
Every spring, as the end of the Supreme Court’s term approaches, judicial watchers around the country wait on pins and needles, usually for one or two opinions in particular. This year, that feeling is amplified as we anticipate the decision for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the first direct challenge to Roe v. Wade…Natalie Hejran -
- Opinion
Remembering Kip Hawley
Last week, we lost a respected leader in the homeland security community and friend of The Heritage Foundation. Edmund “Kip” Hawley, former administrator of the Transportation Security Administration under President George W. Bush, died at his home in Pacific Grove, California, on March 21. He was 68. Hawley helped to establish the TSA—and later served…James Carafano -
- Opinion
March for Life Marches On in Hopes of a Post-Roe World
The Supreme Court is considering the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which has the potential to severely limit or eliminate access to abortion. Each year since 1974, the March for Life has made its way peacefully through the nation’s capital, its hosts of participants calling for an end to abortion on demand,…Douglas Blair -
- Opinion
20 More Questions Ketanji ‘I’m Not a Biologist’ Brown Jackson Probably Can’t Answer
The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on the nomination of federal appeals court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on April 4. The nomination likely will be forwarded to the full Senate with no recommendation on an 11-11 committee vote, with all the Republicans on the panel against it and all the Democrats in favor. As much as…Peter Parisi -
- Opinion
Hollywood Face-Slaps Conservatives
Goodness! What a night. During the live broadcast of the Academy Awards, actor Will Smith walked up to the stage and face-slapped comedian Chris Rock. When Smith returned to his seat, he unleashed a profanity-laced tirade—muted by the show’s producer—at Rock. What did Rock do to warrant the attack? He told a joke about Smith’s…Larry Elder -
- Opinion
Sold! Tennessee Auctioneers Score Win in Occupational Licensing Case
Opponents of occupational licensing secured a victory this week in their battle against excessive state regulations that erect barriers to competition in various fields. One of those opponents, who knows full well the burdensome effects of occupational licensing, is Will McLemore. In 2006, he started McLemore Auction Co. as one of the first online auction…Sarah Parshall Perry -
- Opinion
Young Women Are Closing So-Called Gender Pay Gap. Here’s What That Means.
On this week’s edition of the “Problematic Women” podcast, we break down the data behind women winning the biggest wage gains from the U.S. labor boom. We also discuss how, in some cities, women are not only closing the so-called gender pay gap, but now exceeding their male counterparts. Is that a good thing for…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Leaked Videos Expose Disney’s ‘Not-At-All-Secret Gay Agenda’
A series of videos reveals the Walt Disney Co.’s “not-at-all-secret gay agenda,” as Disney finds itself at the center of national debate over gay rights, transgenderism, and parental rights. The videos—obtained by investigative journalist Christopher Rufo and posted Tuesday on Twitter—expose Disney executives inside an all-hands meeting in response to Florida’s HB 1557, the Parental…Maggie Hroncich -
- Opinion
The Unanimously Liberal Tilt of ‘Fact-Checkers’
Now that the Ketanji Brown Jackson hearings are complete, we have collected another fascinating exhibit of the leftist tilt of “independent fact-checkers.” Just try to find a single fact check on anything Jackson said. Try to find a single evaluation of any statement by a Democratic politician touting Jackson—from President Joe Biden to Sen. Dick…Tim Graham -
- News
White Males Need Not Apply? ‘Colorblind’ Group Accuses American Express of Racist Policies
Look for a “Colleague Network” at American Express that supports whites, particularly white males, and that search will be in vain because the multinational credit card corporation has embraced discriminatory policies, according to a nonprofit group that advocates “a unified America.” American Express lists 14 Colleague Networks in its 2021 Inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion…Kevin Mooney